re: Engagement Ring Questions

Money aside, does anyone ever think of where diamonds come from when they open that fancy shiny box? We are talking about an industry that uses widespread child labor(most are unpaid). Can you imagine your 8 year old son working in the sun day after day? And don't forget the beatings, torture, civil war, environmental degradation that comes from digging these shiny rocks out of the ground.

It's depressing to think about the exploitaion. If the people toiling were treated and paid well, that's a different story. But these people make less than a dollar a day.

Seek out a diamond wholesaler. You will pay double the cost in a jewelry store. If you bring in a loose diamond, any jeweler can have it set in your ring of choice for minimal costs.

Her friends are probably all clones who jabber about their diamond rings whenever they all get together. Better to just try to fit in than stand out.

Just finished this process a couple months ago. My advice:
1. Know what she wants. Do a lot of research on her tastes and styles, especially when it comes to the band. What I thought she would like and what she really wanted were two completely different things when I started looking. As I learned more about her tastes, I ended up hitting the bulls eye and getting the perfect band. No one believes I picked it out . The best part about that band is that it allowed me to get by with a smaller diamond.
2. You can't tell the difference between a D and a G.
3. SI1 or SI2 can be just fine depending on where the inclusion is.
4. Clarity-enhanced stones can save you a lot of money
5. If you're going to deal with a brick and mortar store (and I would highly recommend that you avoid large chain jewelers), makes sure you're dealing with someone you will want to deal with for decades.
6. If you really like designing things (or your SO does), there are many places that can make completely custom rings in CAD. For a fee (usually not that expensive, TBH), they will design your ring off of sketches and conversations and show you renderings beforehand. This will allow you complete control over the metalwork, size, carat weight, ect.
7. Keep in mind upgrade ability. It's ok to go small on the diamond at first (if you're young). You can always upgrade the diamond to a larger one later on down the road. Some places will even give you a guaranteed buy back, where they will purchase your old diamond (that you bought from them) for the price you paid for it to use as a credit for a larger diamond in the future.
8. Baton Rouge has the Mid City Merchants. In that area, from roughly Bocage down government street, custom designed rings (as well as all other original art) are sales tax free. That includes the diamond if you get it from the same place as the custom band.

Good luck.